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Farmers, ranchers and rural residents in general may see little or no change in where, how and what they pay for insurance following implementation of the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Exchange.

But they also may have more choices, fewer restrictions, especially for those who have pre-existing conditions, and possibly lower premiums.

“Buying insurance for rural families will not be much different than shopping for private insurance before the Affordable Care Act,” says Joyce Cavanagh, Texas AgriLife associate professor and Extension family economics specialist at College Station. “But they may have more luck,” especially if they have been buying private insurance. The exchange offers a new vehicle to shop for insurance based on needed coverage and price.

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Anonymous (not verified)

on Oct 16, 2013

Our premium went up over 200%. This is just Democrats getting their foot in the door to ultimately have a single-payer system. Look up "Death Spiral", which is what will ultimately happen to Obamacare. Only 51,000 signed up in the first two weeks, when the WH was projecting MILLIONS. What a joke. If it's so good, THEY need to use it, too.

I am seeing higher premiums, fewer choices, and a loss of my freedom to choose the health care and health insurance that is right for me and my family. Let alone the fact my concerns about the privacy of my medical history as it comes under the control of the IRS. Where do the facts to back up the statements in this story come from?

hmmmm...we haven't seen anything cataclysmic ....actually our rates will go down...we plan to stay healthy anyway- not fall into the "obese American" role that seems to be taking over!! hopefully anyway!

Our BCBS went up about 10 percent, a slightly lower increase than seen in past years. Technically we are having to switch to s "new" plan but it's basically the same plan we have had with the added benefits of not capping out, kids can stay on until 26 if needed, rates can't be hiked if we file a claim nor can we be dropped, check ups and preventive screenings at no out of pocket cost, mental health treatment covered. Pretty good bang for the extra bucks.